Water sharing r ules Chaffey water source

Water sharing rules for the Peel Valley regulated, unregulated, alluvial

and fractured rock water sources

Chaffey water source – Rules summary 2 of 8

Water sharing rules Chaffey water source Water Sharing Plan

Plan Peel Valley Regulated, Unregulated, Alluvial and Fractured Rock

Plan commencement date 01 July 2010

Term of the plan 10 years

Water sharing rules These rules apply to all of the unregulated streams within the Chaffey water source

Access rules The following rules are a guide only. For more information about your actual licence conditions, please contact licensing staff from the NSW Office of Water in Tamworth, phone 02 67631100.

Management zone Peel River

(Peel River from its intersection with Back Creek downstream to where it enters the Peel Regulated River water source)

Chaffey Tributaries

(All other surface waters of the Chaffey water source area excluding the Peel River management zone and the Peel Regulated River water source)

Cease to Pump (CtP)

Note: Licences that nominate an extraction work that is an in-river dam or a rainfall runoff harvesting dam are not subject to the CtP and visible flow requirements.

Users must cease to pump when flows are equal to or less than 2ML/day at Taroona.

Note: In addition to this CtP condition users must also cease to pump when there is no visible flow in the vicinity of the pump site.

Users must cease to pump when there is no visible flow in the vicinity of the pump site.

Reference point Taroona gauge Pump site

Trading rules INTO water source Not permitted.

Note: Trade can occur between all unregulated water sources in the Namoi Unregulated Rivers Extraction Management Unit where trade is permitted into the water source.

Note: State policy on trading into high flows for inland unregulated water sources is currently being developed. The plan will be able to be amended to allow for this to occur pending the outcomes of this policy development process.

WITHIN water source

Not permitted into the Chaffey Tributaries management zone.

Permitted from the Chaffey Tributaries management zone into the Peel River management zone, subject to assessment.

Permitted within each management zone, subject to assessment.

Water sharing rules for the Peel Valley regulated, unregulated, alluvial and fractured rock water sources

Peel Regulated River water source – Rules summary 2 of 8

Management rules Account management rules

Three year accounting rules, with carryover of 100 per cent of share component or 1 ML per unit share is permitted.

Individual account usage is limited to 2 ML unit share/year or 200 per cent/year (where the share is expressed in megalitres), adjusted for allocation assignments out of or into individual accounts, as long as over a three year period the usage is no greater than the water allocations for those three years.

More information about the planning process for the Peel Valley regulated, unregulated, alluvial and fractured rock water sources is available at: www.water.nsw.gov.au

Disclaimer: While every reasonable effort has been made to ensure that this document is correct at the time of printing, the State of New South Wales, its agents and employees, disclaim any and all liability to any person in respect of anything or the consequences of anything done or omitted to be done in reliance upon the whole or any part of this document.

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http://www.water.nsw.gov.au/

Water Sharing Plan for the Peel Valley Regulated, Unregulated, Alluvial and Fractured Rock Water Sources

Cockburn River Water Source – Rules Summary 6 of 8


Water sharing rules Cockburn River water source

Water Sharing Plan Plan Peel Valley Regulated, Unregulated, Alluvial and Fractured Rock Plan commencement date 01 July 2010 Term of the plan 10 years Water sharing rules These rules apply to all of the unregulated streams within the Cockburn

River water source

Access rules The following rules are a guide only. For more information about your actual licence conditions, please contact licensing staff from the NSW Office of Water in Tamworth, phone 02 67631100

Management zone Cockburn River (Cockburn River from its intersection with Mulla

Mulla Creek downstream to where it enters the

Peel Regulated River water source)

Cockburn River Tributaries (All other surface waters of the Cockburn River

water source area excluding the Cockburn River

management zone)

Cease to Pump (CtP) Note: Licences that nominate an extraction work that is an in-river dam or a rainfall runoff harvesting dam are not subject to the CtP and visible flow requirements.

Users must cease to pump when flows are equal to or less than 0.25 m at Kootingal gauge or when there is no visible flow at the rock bar 700m upstream of the confluence between the Cockburn and Peel Rivers. Note: should a gauge be installed at the rock bar then the CtP for this flow reference point will be amended to zero flow at the new gauge.


Reference point Kootingal gauge and The rock bar located within Lot 2, DP 204705, Parish of Tamworth, County of Inglis – approximately 700m upstream of the Cockburn’s confluence with the Peel River.

Pump site

Water Sharing Plan for the Peel Valley Regulated, Unregulated, Alluvial and Fractured Rock Water Sources

Cockburn River Water Source – Rules Summary 6 of 8


Trading rules INTO water source Not permitted.

Note: Trade can occur between all unregulated water sources in the Namoi Unregulated Rivers Extraction Management Unit where trade is permitted into the water source. Note: State policy on trading into high flows for inland unregulated water sources is currently being developed. The pan will be able to be amended to allow for this to occur pending the outcomes of this policy development process.

WITHIN water source Permitted from the Cockburn River Tributaries management zone to the Cockburn River management zone, subject to assessment. Permitted within each management zone, subject to assessment.


Three year accounting rules, with carryover of 100 per cent of share component or 1 ML per unit share is permitted. Individual account usage is limited to 2 ML/unit share year or 200 per cent year (where the share is expressed in megalitres), adjusted for allocation assignments out of or into individual accounts, as long as over a three year period the usage is no greater than the water allocations for those three years.

More information about the planning process for the Peel Valley Regulated, Unregulated, Alluvial and Fractured Rock Water Sources is available at: www.water.nsw.gov.au




Goonoo Goonoo Creek water source – Rules summary 3 of 8

Water sharing rules Goonoo Goonoo Creek water source Water Sharing Plan Plan Peel Valley Regulated, Unregulated, Alluvial and Fractured Rock


Term of the Plan 10 years

Water sharing rules These rules apply to all of the unregulated streams within the Goonoo Goonoo Creek water source

Access rules The following rules are a guide only. For more information about your actual licence conditions, please contact licensing staff from the NSW Office of Water in Tamworth, phone02 67631100.

Management zone Downstream Boiling Down Creek

(Goonoo Goonoo Creek from its intersection with Boiling Down Creek downstream to where it enters the Peel Regulated River water source)

Upstream Boiling Down Creek and other tributaries

(All other surface waters of the Goonoo Goonoo Creek water source area excluding the Downstream Boiling Down Creek management zone)

Cease to Pump (CtP) Note: Licences that nominate an extraction work that is an in-river dam or a rainfall runoff harvesting dam are not subject to the CtP and visible flow requirements.

Users must cease to pump when there is zero flow flow at Timbumburi gauge or when there is no visible flow at upstream Calala Lane Bridge.


Reference point Timbumburi gauge

and

Upstream Calala Lane Bridge within Lot 1821 DP 1122162, Parish Calala, County Parry.

Pump site


Goonoo Goonoo Creek water source – Rules summary 3 of 8

Trading rules INTO water source Permitted into the Downstream Boiling Down Creek management zone only if

there is no net increase in entitlement from start of the plan, subject to assessment.

Not permitted into Upstream Boiling Down Creek and other tributaries management zone.



WITHIN water source

Not permitted into the Upstream Boiling Down Creek and other tributaries management zone.

Permitted from Upstream Boiling Down Creek and other tributaries management zone into the Downstream Boiling Down Creek management zone, subject to assessment.




Individual account usage is limited to 2 ML/unit share/year or 200 per cent/year (where the share is expressed in megalitres), adjusted for allocation assignments out of or into individual accounts, as long as over a three year period the usage is no greater than the water allocations for those three years.



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Lower Peel River Tributaries water source – Rules summary Card 5 of 8

Water sharing rules Lower Peel River Tributaries water source

Water Sharing Plan Plan Peel Valley Regulated, Unregulated, Alluvial and Fractured Rock



Water sharing rules These rules apply to all of the unregulated streams within the Lower Peel River Tributaries water source


Management zone Moore Creek

(Moore Creek from its inception to its intersection with the Peel Regulated River water source)

Lower Peel Tributaries

(All other surface waters of the Lower Peel River Tributaries water source area excluding the Moore Creek management zone and the Peel Regulated River water source)

Cease to Pump (CtP)


Upstream of Slippery Rock

Users must not commence-to-pump during the first 24hrs of visible flow in Moore Creek at Slippery Rock and must CtP when there is no visible flow in Moore Creek at either the Scout Camp or at Slippery Rock.

Downstream of Slippery Rock

Users may commence-to-pump when there is visible flow and must CtP when there is no visible flow in Moore Creek at Slippery Rock.

Note: The CtP for Slippery Rock shall be amended to zero flow when a gauge is installed at this location.

Note: The flow reference points and CtPs may also be varied should a gauge and/or monitoring bore be installed that could be used to further refine the cease to pump conditions in this management zone.


Reference point Scout Camp is Moore Creek at the road crossing located within Lot 146 DP753843.

and

Slippery Rock is Moore Creek at Slippery Rock - Daruka Recreation Reserve Lot 36 DP851460.

Pump site


Lower Peel River water source – Rules summary Card 5 of 8

Trading rules INTO water source

Not permitted into the Moore Creek management zone.

Permitted into the Lower Peel Tributaries management zone (excluding Wallamoore Anabranch) only if there is no net increase in entitlement from start of plan, subject to assessment.



WITHIN water source

Not permitted into Moore Creek management zone.

Permitted from Moore Creek management zone into Lower Peel Tributaries management zone (excluding Wallamoore Anabranch), subject to assessment.

Permitted within each management zone (excluding Wallamoore Anabranch), subject to assessment.



Individual account usage is limited to 2 ML/unit share/year or 200 per cent/year (where the share is expressed in meaglitres), adjusted for allocation assignments out of or into individual accounts, as long as over a three year period the usage is no greater than the water allocations for those three years.



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Peel alluvium groundwater source – Rules summary 7 of 8

Water sharing rules Peel Alluvium groundwater source

Water sharing plan Plan Peel Valley Regulated, Unregulated, Alluvial and Fractured Rock



Water sharing rules These rules apply to the unconsolidated alluvial deposits associated with the Peel River extending from Chaffey Dam to where the Peel River meets the Namoi and the alluvial deposits associated with the unregulated tributaries of Attunga Creek, Moore Creek, Cockburn River, Dungowan River, Duncans Creek, and Goonoo Goonoo Creek

Access rules The following rules are a guide only. For more information about your actual licence conditions, please contact licensing staff from the NSW Office of Water in Tamworth, phone 02 67631100 .

Cease to Pump (CtP) See management of connectivity rules. Some users will be placed on lagged surface water access rules from year 4 of the plan, where appropriate management systems are in place.

Available water determinations (AWDs)

AWDs will be made at commencement of each water year for:

• Domestic and stock access licences – 100% of share component.

• Local water utility access licences – 100% of share component.

• Aquifer access licences – 1ML/unit of share component or lower amount as result of management of growth to the LTAAEL.

• Aquifer (general security) access licences – 51% of the available water determination made at the commencement of the water year for aquifer access licences in this water source, plus 49% of the available water determination for Regulated River (general security) access licences in the Peel Regulated River water source or lower amount as result of management of growth to the LTAAEL. (Aquifer [general security] access licences are those within the Peel Regulated River Alluvium management zone).

• Supplementary water access licences – created and credited only in the event that a maximum AWD for aquifer access licences of less than 0.8ML/unit share is required in order to return extractions to the LTAAEL. In accordance with the plan, the available water determinations for this category of licence shall diminish in priority with each consecutive year from commencement of the plan.

• Supplementary (general security) water access licences – created and credited only in the event that a maximum AWD for aquifer access licences of less than 0.8ML/unit share is required in order to return extractions to the LTAAEL. In accordance with the plan, the available water determinations for this category of licence shall diminish in priority with each consecutive year from commencement of the plan.


Peel Alluvium groundwater source – Rules summary Card 7 of 8

Trading rules

INTO water source Not permitted

WITHIN water source Permitted within management zones, subject to assessment of potential impacts on other users and the environment.

Not permitted between management zones.

Conversion to another category of licence

Not permitted

Managing alluvial groundwater bores Account management rules

Aquifer (general security) access licences, supplementary (general security) water access licences, domestic and stock water access licences and local water utility water access licences - no carryover of account water from one water year to the next. Maximum amount of water permitted to be taken in any one water year is the water allocation accrued in the water access licence account for that water year, adjusted for allocation assignments out of or into individual accounts.

Aquifer access licences and supplementary water access licences - three year accounting rules, carryover of 100 per cent of share component or 1 ML/unit share is permitted. Individual account usage is limited to 2 ML/unit share/ year or 200 per cent/year (where the share is expressed in megalitres), adjusted for allocation assignments out of or into individual accounts, as long as over a three year period the usage is no greater than the water allocations for those three years.

Granting water supply works approvals – rules to minimise interference between neighbouring bores

These rules apply to new bores.

These rules do not apply to replacement bores.

These rules do not apply to a bore which is solely for basic landholder rights.

These rules do not apply to bores constructed for the purpose of monitoring, environmental management purposes or remedial work.

New water supply works (bores) are not to be located within the following distances of existing water supply works (bores):

• 200m from a water supply work (bore) that is nominated by another access licence on another landholding.

• 200m from a water supply work (bore) that is used to extract basic landholder rights (BLR) on another landholding.

• 100m from the boundary (unless negotiated with neighbour).

• 500m from a water supply work (bore) nominating a local or major water utility access licence.

• 100m from a water supply work (bore) that is used by the Office for monitoring purposes (unless agreed to by the Office)

The distance rules may be varied if in the Minister opinion the location of the water supply work (bore) at a lesser distance would result in no more than minimal impact on existing extractions within these water sources.

Other variations will only be considered if the applicant undertakes a hydrogeological study, assessed as adequate by the Minister, which demonstrates that a lesser distance will have no more than minimal impact on existing extractions within these water sources.



Managing alluvial groundwater bores Granting water supply works approvals – Rules to manage location of bores away from contaminated sites





New water supply works (bores) are not to be located within the 100m of contaminated sites as identified within the Plan.

Granting of an approval for a new water supply work (bore) located within 100m–500m of contaminated sites identified within the Plan will require evidence that no drawdown of groundwater within 100 m of the contamination source will occur and the approval of the Minister.

Granting of an approval for a new water supply work (bore) located greater than 500m of a contaminated site may be restricted if the Minister determines it necessary to protect the water source, environment or public health or safety.

The Minister may vary these rules if an applicant can demonstrate there will be no more than minimal harm to the groundwater source, no impact on the environment and no threat to public health.

These rules may also be applied to contaminated sources not identified within the Plan which are identified as a result of a site inspection or other relevant information provided to the Minister.

Contaminated sites may be added to or removed from the Plan by the Minister based on results of a site inspection or other relevant information provided to the Minister on a contamination source.

Note: Due to the nature of managing contaminated sites bores maybe subject to restrictions as a result of local impact management under s. 324 of the Water Management Act 2000.

Granting water supply works approvals – Rules to protect base flows in rivers and groundwater-dependent ecosystems (GDEs)




These rules do not apply if the bore replaces an existing bore that is part of a bore network of a major or local water utility for the purpose of town water supply.

Water supply works (bores) are not to be located within the following distances of high priority GDEs (non Karst) as identified within the Plan:

• 100m for water supply works (bores) used for extracting for BLR,

• 200m for water supply works (bores) nominated on another aquifer access licences.

Water supply works (bores) are not to be located within 40m from the top of the high bank of a river or stream.

The Minister may increase the distance rules above for any high priority groundwater dependent ecosystem if the Minister is satisfied that draw down is likely to occur within these distances.

The distances of water supply work (bore) from a GDEs may be varied if the Minister is satisfied that no draw down will occur at the perimeter of any groundwater dependent ecosystem listed in the Plan or that a lesser distance would result in no greater impact on these water sources and their groundwater dependent ecosystems.

These specified distances may be amended in the Plan, or high priority GDEs may be added to or removed from the Plan based on further studies of groundwater ecosystem dependency undertaken by the Minister.



Managing alluvial groundwater bores Granting water supply works approvals - Rules to protect groundwater dependent culturally significant sites




These rules do not apply if the bore replaces an existing bore that is part of a bore network of a major or local water utility for the purpose of town water supply.

New water supply works (bores) are not to be located within the following distances of groundwater dependent cultural significant sites as identified utilising criteria specified within the Plan:


• 200m for water supply works (bores) nominated on any other aquifer access licences.

These distances may be varied if the Minister is satisfied that the water supply work (bore) is sealed off to the nearest impervious layer above the inlet screens with an impermeable seal constructed between the casing and the bore hole or if in the Ministers opinion the location of the water supply work (bore) at a lesser distance would result in no greater impact on these water sources and their groundwater dependent culturally significant sites.

Note: Culturally significant sites will be identified as part of the assessment undertaken by the NSW Office of Water during the processing of an application for the granting or amending of a water supply work approval.

Managing surface and groundwater connectivity

These rules do not apply to licences in the Peel Regulated River Alluvium, Duncans Creek, Moore Creek and Attunga Creek management zones.

From year 4 of the Plan, licences nominating existing water supply works (bores), (except local water utilities that have not undergone major augmentation or those used for food safety or essential dairy care purposes), will have access rules related to the flow in the corresponding unregulated water source applied through a delayed cease to pump (CtP) as listed below:

• Goonoo Goonoo Creek Alluvium - CtP after 14 consecutive days of zero flow at Timbumburi gauge.

• Dungowan Creek Alluvium - CtP after 14 consecutive days of no visible flow at a gauge at the end of the system, when management systems installed to allow implementation.

• Cockburn River Alluvium - CtP after 28 consecutive days of flow below 0.25m at Kootingal gauge.

These access rules can only be implemented when there are adequate management systems in place to record the flow conditions at the reference points on the unregulated system and store that information in an easily accessible form for licence holders. As such there will be no daily access rules for the Dungowan Creek Alluvium management zone until appropriate management systems are installed.



Managing alluvial groundwater bores Managing existing water supply works (bores) near contaminated sites

An existing water supply work (bore) within 500 metres of a contamination source will be able to continue extraction of groundwater at levels equivalent to 2008/09 access licence share component nominating that work or a basic right, subject to any restrictions arising from local impact management rules.

Note: The water quality from any bore can be affected by land use activities and inherent water quality in the aquifer. Water quality cannot be guaranteed and may be unsuitable for human consumption and other uses. The quality of water extracted should be tested before being used and appropriately treated. Such testing and treatment is the responsibility of the licence holder.

Managing temporary local impacts

Section 324 of the Water Management Act 2000 provides for the management of local impacts in groundwater sources. The Minister may, for a specified period prohibit or restrict the taking of water from a water source, as the case requires to:

• maintain or protect water levels in an aquifer, or

• maintain, protect or improve the quality of water in an aquifer, or

• prevent land subsidence or compaction in an aquifer, or

• to protect groundwater-dependent ecosystems, or

• to maintain pressure, or to ensure pressure recovery, in an aquifer.



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Peel Fractured Rock water source – Rules summary 8 of 8

Water sharing rules Peel Fractured Rock groundwater source




Water sharing rules These rules apply to the sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks within the Peel Valley which extends from the Great Dividing Range in the East, the confluence of the Peel and Namoi Rivers at Carroll Gap in the west, the Moonbi range in the North and the Melville Range in the South


Available water determinations (AWDs)

AWDs will be made at commencement of each water year for:

Domestic and stock access licences – 100% of share component.

Local water utility access licences – 100% of share component.

Aquifer access licences – 1ML/unit of share component or lower amount as result of management to the LTAAEL.

Trading rules

INTO water source Not permitted

WITHIN water source Permitted within the water source, subject to assessment of potential impacts on other users and the environment.


Not permitted

Managing groundwater bores Account management rules

No carryover of account water from one water year to the next.

Maximum amount of water permitted to be taken in any one water year is the water allocation accrued in the water access licence account for that water year, adjusted for allocation assignments out of or into individual accounts.



Managing groundwater bores Granting water supply works approvals – Rules to minimise interference between neighbouring bores





New water supply works (bores) are not to be located within the following distances of existing water supply works (bores):

• 400m from a water supply work (bore) that is nominated by another access licence on another landholding.

• 200m from a water supply work (bore) that is used to extract basic landholder rights (BLR) on another landholding.

• 100m from the boundary (unless negotiated with neighbour).

• 500m from a water supply work (bore) nominating a local or major water utility access licence.

• 400m from a water supply work (bore) that is used by the Office for monitoring purposes (unless agreed to by the Office)

The distance rules may be varied if in the Minister opinion the location of the water supply work (bore) at a lesser distance would result in no more than minimal impact on existing extractions within these water sources.

Other variations will only be considered if the applicant undertakes a hydrogeological study, assessed as adequate by the Minister, which demonstrates that a lesser distance will have no more than minimal impact on existing extractions within these water sources.

Granting water supply works approvals – Rules to manage location of bores away from contaminated sites





New water supply works (bores) are not to be located within the 100m of contaminated sites as identified within the plan.

Granting of an approval for a new water supply work (bore) located within 100m–500m of contaminated sites identified within the plan will require evidence that no drawdown of groundwater within 100 m of the contamination source will occur and the approval of the Minister.

Granting of an approval for a new water supply work (bore) located greater than 500m of a contaminated site may be restricted if the Minister determines it necessary to protect the water source, environment or public health or safety.

The Minister may vary these rules if an applicant can demonstrate there will be no more than minimal harm to the groundwater source, no impact on the environment and no threat to public health.

These rules may also be applied to contaminated sources not identified within the plan which are identified as a result of a site inspection or other relevant information provided to the Minister.

Contaminated sites may be added to or removed from the plan by the Minister based on results of a site inspection or other relevant information provided to the Minister on a contamination source.

Note: Due to the nature of managing contaminated sites bores maybe subject to restrictions as a result of local impact management under s. 324 of the Water Management Act 2000.



Managing groundwater bores Granting water supply works approvals – Rules to protect base flows in rivers and groundwater-dependent ecosystems (GDEs) These rules apply to new bores. These rules do not apply to replacement bores. These rules do not apply to bores constructed for the purpose of monitoring, environmental management purposes or remedial work. These rules do not apply if the bore replaces an existing bore that is part of a bore network of a major or local water utility for the purpose of town water supply.

Water supply works (bores) are not to be located within the following distances of high priority GDE (non Karst) as identified within the plan:


• 200m for water supply works (bores) nominated on all other aquifer access licences,

Water supply works (bores) are not to be located within the following distances from these identified features:

• 500m of karsts,

• 100m from the edge of an escarpment,

• 40m of a river or stream (3rd order or above),

• 40m of a 1st or 2nd order stream, unless drilled into underlying parent material and slotted intervals commence deeper than 30m. (30m may be amended if demonstrate minimal impact on base flows in the stream)

The distances of water supply work (bore) from a GDEs may be varied if the Minister is satisfied that no draw down will occur at the perimeter of any groundwater dependent ecosystem listed in the plan or that a lesser distance would result in no greater impact on these water sources and their groundwater dependent ecosystems.

These specified distances may be amended in the plan, or high priority GDEs may be added or removed from the plan, based on further studies of groundwater ecosystem dependency undertaken by the Minister.

Granting water supply works approvals – Rules for the protection of groundwater dependent culturally significant sites These rules apply to new bores. These rules do not apply to replacement bores. These rules do not apply to bores constructed for the purpose of monitoring, environmental management purposes or remedial work. These rules do not apply if the bore replaces an existing bore that is part of a bore network of a major or local water utility for the purpose of town water supply.

New water supply works (bores) are not to be located within the following distances of groundwater dependent cultural significant sites as identified utilising criteria specified within the plan:

• 100m for water supply works (bores) used for extracting for BLR

• 200m for water supply works (bores) nominated on all other aquifer access licences

These distances may be varied if the Minister is satisfied that the water supply work (bore) is sealed off to the nearest impervious layer above the inlet screens with an impermeable seal constructed between the casing and the bore hole or if in the Ministers opinion the location of the water supply work (bore) at a lesser distance would result in no greater impact on these water sources and their groundwater dependent culturally significant sites.

Note: Culturally significant sites will be identified as part of the assessment undertaken by the NSW Office of Water during the processing of an application for the granting or amending of a water supply work approval.



Managing groundwater bores Managing existing water supply works near contaminated sites

An existing water supply work (bore) within 500 metres of a contamination source will be able to continue extraction of groundwater at levels equivalent to 2008/09 access licence share component nominating that work or a basic right, subject to any restrictions arising from local impacts.

Note: The water quality from any bore can be affected by land use activities and inherent water quality in the aquifer. Water quality cannot be guaranteed and may be unsuitable for human consumption and other uses. The quality of water extracted should be tested and if required, treated, before being used. Such testing and treatment is the responsibility of the licence holder.

Managing of temporary local impacts

Section 324 of the Water Management Act 2000 provides for the management of local impacts in groundwater sources. The Minister may, for a specified period prohibit or restrict the taking of water from a water source, as the case requires to:

• maintain or protect water levels in an aquifer, or

• maintain, protect or improve the quality of water in an aquifer, or

• prevent land subsidence or compaction in an aquifer, or

• to protect groundwater-dependent ecosystems, or

• to maintain pressure, or to ensure pressure recovery, in an aquifer.

Fs



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1 | NSW Office of Water, June 2010

Water sharing rules Peel Regulated River water source

Water sharing plan Plan Peel Valley regulated, unregulated, alluvial and fractured rock



Water sharing rules These rules apply to the Peel River and relevant anabranches, from the upper limits of Chaffey Dam storage at full supply level to its confluence with the Namoi River, declared to be a regulated river.


Long-term average annual extraction limit (LTAAEL)

It is equal to the lesser of:

• The long term average annual extraction from this water source that would occur with the water storages and water use development that existed in 2007/08, the share components existing at the commencement of the plan and application of the rules defined in the plan, plus the long term average annual extraction from Dungowan Dam water storage by a local water utility access licence; or

• the long-term average annual extraction from this water source (including the long term average annual extraction from Dungowan Dam water storage by a local water utility access licence) that would occur under the MDBMC Cap baseline conditions as agreed under the Murray Darling Basin Agreement Schedule 1 of the Water Act 2007(Cth).

Access to uncontrolled unregulated flows

(previously referred to as off-allocation under the Water Act 1912)

Access to uncontrolled unregulated flows in the Peel Regulated River may be made available via announcement to general security (GS) access licences (as ‘no-debit’ substitution water under section 85A of the Water Management Act 2000).

‘No-debit’ access to uncontrolled unregulated flows is not available to high security licence holders.

The access thresholds to uncontrolled unregulated flows in the Peel Regulated River will be dependent on GS allocation, such that:

• When the GS available water determination is less than 0.35 ML/unit share the commence to pump threshold is 40 ML/day of uncontrolled unregulated flow at Carroll Gap, access may continue in the relevant section of the river provided that there is a 5 ML/day uncontrolled unregulated flow at all gauging stations within the section, access must cease when flow falls below 5 ML/day of uncontrolled unregulated flow at any gauging station within the section.

• When the GS available water determinations is equal to or greater than 0.35 ML/unit share, the commence and cease to pump threshold is 50 ML/day of uncontrolled unregulated flow at Carroll Gap.




Access to such flows will be related to the current water ordering sections (Chaffey Dam to Paradise, Paradise to Attunga Creek, Attunga Creek to Junction). If there is no uncontrolled unregulated flow in a section, then no access will be declared in that section.

All uncontrolled unregulated flows in the Peel Regulated River above the no-debit access thresholds will be shared 50:50 between users and the environment.

Access to uncontrolled environmental flows

Access to uncontrolled environmental flows in the Peel Regulated River may be made available via announcement to general security (GS) access licences (as ‘no-debit’ substitution water under section 85A of the Water Management Act 2000).

‘No-debit’ access to uncontrolled environmental flows is not available to high security licence holders.

The access thresholds to uncontrolled environmental flows in the Peel Regulated River downstream of Piallamoore will be dependent on GS allocation, such that:

• When the GS available water determination is less than 0.35 ML/unit share the commence to pump threshold is 40 ML/day of uncontrolled environmental flow at Carroll Gap, access may continue in the relevant section of the river provided that there is a 5 ML/day of uncontrolled environmental flow at all gauging stations within the section, access must cease when the uncontrolled environmental flow falls below 5 ML/day at any gauging station within the section.

• When the GS available water determinations is equal to or greater than 0.35 ML/unit share, the commence and cease to pump threshold is 50 ML/day of uncontrolled environmental flow at Carroll Gap.

The access threshold to uncontrolled environmental flows in the Peel Regulated River upstream of Piallamoore is 50ML/day of environmental water as recorded at the Piallamoore gauge.

Note: The access threshold for upstream of Piallamoore will be increased to 100ML/day of uncontrolled environmental flow at Piallamoore if the installed pump capacity increases by more than 20% from that at commencement of the plan.



Trading rules INTO / OUT OF water source

• Trades into this water source are not permitted.

• Permanent trades from this water source to the Lower Namoi Regulated River Water Source are permitted, subject to the below:

• 62GL Chaffey Dam: Up to 7.5 GL of entitlement from this water source may trade to the lower Namoi Regulated River water source. Each ML traded from the Peel will correspond to 0.4ML of new entitlement in the Lower Namoi Regulated River water source. That is, the destination entitlement would be a maximum of 3GL.

• 100GL Chaffey Dam: A further 7.5 GL of entitlement from this water source may trade to the lower Namoi Regulated River water source. Each ML traded from the Peel will correspond to 0.4ML of new entitlement in the Lower Namoi Regulated River water source. That is, the additional destination entitlement would be a maximum of 3GL, totalling a maximum of 6GL (3GL + 3GL).

WITHIN water source • No limitations to trade within this water source for general security water access licences.

• Limitations to trade of high security licences to ensure no increase in high security shares or allocation below the Jewry Street Bridge and trade of high security in this section below the Jewry Street Bridge is permitted in an upstream direction only.


Conversions are not permitted.

Interstate trading Interstate transfer and assignment of water allocation not permitted.

Management rules Environmental water Planned environmental water in this water source is the volume of water in

excess of the long-term average annual extraction limit (LTAAEL).

For the current Chaffey Dam of 62,000 ML capacity, planned environmental water will also include:

• a stimulus flow of 1,600 ML over seven days with a peak of 500 ML/day on day 2 (IQQM run W41 - designed to inundate low level benches and restore some of the natural flow variability to the upper reaches of the Peel River), minus any water extracted in accordance with the access conditions for uncontrolled flows originating from stimulus flow releases and basic landholder rights extraction,

• at least 50 per cent of water above the threshold for access to uncontrolled flows originating from tributary inflows to the Peel Regulated River Water Source, designed to ensure that the unregulated inflow event hydrograph mimics its natural shape,

• uncontrolled flows originating from tributary inflows to the Peel Regulated River below the access thresholds, minus any basic landholder rights extraction, and

• a minimum daily release of 3 ML/day minus any extraction, except when a release greater than 3 ML/day is required for basic landholder rights and access licence extractions or the stimulus flow.

Note that water will not be set aside for the stimulus flow until Chaffey Dam



Management rules water storage is greater than 50,000 ML and the stimulus flow can only be releases in the months of March to August if there has not been a flow of greater than 500 ML/day in the Peel River at Piallamore in the proceeding 90 days.

For an enlarged 100,000 ML Chaffey Dam, planned environmental water will also include:

• a 5,000 ML (general security) environmental contingency allowance (ECA) account, minus any water extracted in accordance with the access conditions for uncontrolled flows originating from ECA releases and basic landholder rights extraction,

• at least 50 per cent of water above the threshold for access to uncontrolled flows originating from tributary inflows to the Peel Regulated River Water Source, designed to ensure that the unregulated inflow event hydrograph mimics its natural shape,

• uncontrolled flows originating from tributary inflows to the Peel Regulated River below the access thresholds, minus any basic landholder rights extraction, and

• a minimum daily release of 3ML/day, minus any extraction, except when a release greater than 3ML/day, is required for basic landholder rights and access licence extractions or the ECA.

Account management rules

Annual accounting rules, carryover is not permitted.

Individual account usage is limited to 1 ML/unit share/year or 100 per cent/year (where the share is expressed in meaglitres), adjusted for allocation assignments out of or into individual accounts.

Provision for the amendment to the account management system to be introduced; if/when Chaffey Dam is enlarged.



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Upper Peel River Tributaries water source – Rules summary 4 of 8

Water sharing rules Upper Peel River Tributaries water source




Water sharing rules These rules apply to all of the unregulated streams within the Upper Peel River Tributaries water source

Access rules The following rules are a guide only. For more information about your actual licence conditions, please contact licensing staff from the NSW Office of Water in Tamworth, phone02 67631100.

Management zone Dungowan Creek

(Dungowan Creek from the wall of Dungowan Dam to its intersection with the Peel Regulated River water source)

Duncans Creek and other tributaries

(All other surface waters of the Upper Peel River Tributaries water source area excluding the Dungowan Creek management zone and the Peel Regulated River water source)

Cease to Pump (CtP)


Upstream of Thortons Road Bridge

Users must cease to pump when there is no visible flow at Thortons Road Bridge

Downstream of Thortons Road Bridge

Users must cease to pump when there is no visible flow at Thortons Road Bridge or at the pump site.

Note: If a suitable gauge is established at the end of Dungowan Creek then the CtP will be based on visible flow at Thortons Road Bridge and zero flow at this gauge.


Reference points Thortons Road Bridge within Lot 221 DP 1122162, Parish Woolomin, County Parry.

and

Pump site

Pump site


Upper Peel River Tributaries water source – Rules summary 4 of 8

Trading rules INTO water source Not permitted



WITHIN water source

Not permitted between management zones.



Three year accounting rules, with carryover of 100 per cent of share component or 1 ML/ unit share is permitted.

Individual account usage is limited to 2 ML/unit share/year or 200 per cent/year (where the share is expressed in megalitres), adjusted for allocation assignments out of or into individual accounts, as long as over a three year period the usage is no greater than the water allocations for those three years.



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Water sharing r ules Chaffey water source

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